Operating, Calibrating, and Maintaining Agricultural Tillage Systems and Equipment

1. Operating, Calibrating, and Maintaining Agricultural Tillage Systems and Equipment Lesson 2

2. Next Generation Science / Common Core Standards Addressed! • CCSS.ELA Literacy. RST.9‐10.3 Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text. • CCSS.ELA Literacy. RST.11‐12.3 Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks; analyze the specific results based on explain HSSIC. • HSSIC.B.6 Evaluate reports based on data. (HS‐LS2‐6)

4. Bell Work / Objectives • Explain the purpose of tillage systems and equipment used in agriculture. • Describe the operating principles of tillage systems and equipment used in agriculture. • Describe how tillage equipment is calibrated. • Explain how tillage equipment is maintained

5. Clean tillage compaction conservation tillage floatation minimum tillage Mulch tillage Power hop primary tillage secondary tillage tillage traction Terms

6. Interest Approach • Lead a discussion with students on what they believe are the purposes or reasons for tillage. Show them various pieces of equipment (next 7 slides) and ask them the function of each piece.

14. Objective #1 What is the purpose of tillage systems and equipment used in agriculture?

15. What is tillage? • mechanical, soil stirring actions carried on for the purposes of nurturing crops • Primary tillage • a deep, at least 6”, operation that loosens the soil to reduce soil strength and mix residue and fertilizers into tilled layer • Secondary tillage • used to kill weeds, cut and cover crop residue, incorporate herbicides and prepare a pulverized seedbed at a depth 5” or less

20. No / Conservation Tillage!

21. Tillage Equipment Chisel Plow Subsoil or V ripper Plow Disk

22. Objective #2 What tillage systems and equipment are used in agriculture?

23. Tillage Systems • Conservation tillage • field operations required for profitable crop production while minimizing soil erosion • leaves at least 30% residue cover • Conventional tillage • sequence of tillage operations traditionally used in your area • leaves less than 15% residue cover

25. Tillage Systems • Clean tillage • operations which prepares a seedbed having essentially no residue on the surface • minimum tillage • minimum soil manipulation necessary for crop production

26. Tillage Systems • reduced tillage • less intensive and less aggressive than conventional • number of operations is decreased or tillage implements require less energy • mulch-till • conservation tillage that tills the entire soil surface • at least 30% of residue remaining

27. Objective #3 How is tillage equipment calibrated?

28. Traction, flotation, soil compaction • Traction • linear force, pull or draft resulting from torque applied to tractor tires • floatation • ability of tires to stay on top of the soil surface, avoid slippage which causes compaction • compaction • compression of soil caused by wheel traffic

29. Adding weights to the tractor • Additional weights may be required to gain maximum drawbar pull and sufficient traction • adding ballast (weight) to drive wheels and the front end most common way to improve traction

30. Effective ballast • Two-wheel drive tractors • distribute 25 to 35% of weight on front with 75 to 65% of weight on rear • Mechanical front wheel drive tractors • split 35 to 40% on front and 65 to 60% of weight on rear

31. Tractor Tire Ballast Info.

32. Four-wheel drive tractor weights • Standard towed implements • 51 to 55% on front and 49 to 45% on rear • hitch mounted implements • 55 to 60 % on front and 45 to 40% on rear • towed implements causing high down loads on drawbar • 55 to 65% on front and 45 to 35% on rear

34. Tire tread indications for proper weighting of the tractor • Too much weight used • tire tracks are sharp and distinct • Too little weight is used • tire marks entirely wiped out • Proper weight • cleats in tire pattern is shifted but tread pattern is visible

35. Balancing tractors • Power hop • MFWD and 4WD tractors may experience simultaneous loss of traction and a bouncing, pitching ride under high drawbar loads

36. Considerations for tillage implements • Properly adjust implements to save time and fuel. • Most problems with tillage tools caused by improper adjustment or faulty component. • Instructions in owner’s manual should be followed to obtain top performance. • Problems can be prevented with simple maintenance at the beginning of the season.

37. Safety Considerations • No safety device can replace a careful operator. • Match equipment to the tractor. • Provide proper tractor ballast and weight split for tractor stability. • Match hydraulic connections. • Park implement on a firm flat surface. • Don’t permit people between tractor and implement.

38. Safety • Always lower implement to ground when not in use. • If working on equipment in raised position, use blocks so it won’t fall. • Use proper size pins and secure with a clips. • Never carry riders on tractor or implement. • Check wings on equipment before transporting. • Transport in narrowest configuration.

40. Objective #4 How is tillage equipment maintained?

41. Preventative Maintenance • Minimizes the chances for breakage, costly repair bills, and loss of time. • All moving parts in contact with other parts require lubrication at point of contact. • If dirt is collecting around fittings, clean the area before servicing.

42. Preventative Maintenance • Consult operator’s manual for lubricating instructions and location. • Proper use of field machinery decreases operating costs. • Checking & repairing machinery during off season saves time & money.

43. Simple Maintenance Operations • Lubricate according to instructions, clean grease fittings to avoid forcing dirt into bearings. • Clean, inspect, and lubricate or repack wheel and coulter bearings. • Examine hydraulic hoses, couplings, and cylinders for wear, damage or leaks. • Check for loose or missing bolts and nuts.

44. More maintenance tips • Replace worn, dull, or cracked soil engaging components. • Check and replace bent or cracked components. • Check alignment of soil engaging parts> • level the implement side to side and fore and aft • measure vertical distances to check • Check safety trips and reset mechanisms. • Make certain all tires are inflated properly.

45. Review • What is the purpose of tillage systems and equipment used in agriculture? • What tillage systems and equipment are used in agriculture? • How is tillage equipment calibrated? • How is tillage equipment maintained?

46. The End!